Dan Reynolds, left, and Ben McKee at House of Blues Anaheim. Photo: Kelly A. Swift, for the Register

As hundreds of fans congregated outside House of Blues Anaheim on Tuesday night waiting to get in, there was such a palpable excitement about the headliner, Las Vegas band Imagine Dragons, that you could tell this sold-out gig was going to be huge.

The buzzed-about and frequently spun act has exploded in the past six months following the September arrival of its major-label debut, Night Visions. First single "It's Time" was an instant smash, while subsequent singles "Hear Me" and "Radioactive" have received wide exposure as well.

Younger fans sporting swag – T-shirts, pins, hats, even glittery homemade eye patches – flooded the venue's floor, desperately trying to get close to the stage. Though there was an attempt to cover up the main attraction's oversize props and instruments with black tarps, it was obvious the evening would soon turn into a massive production.

So much extra stuff on this already small stage pushed opening band Nico Vega almost to the edge, allowing vocalist Aja Volkman limited performing space. Once their equipment was cleared, however, South Australian outfit Atlas Genius had a bit more room to wander throughout its powerful set.

Imagine Dragons, on the other hand, put every inch of the stage to good use with elaborate lighting and giant circular and half-moon screens displaying visuals for each track. The heavily percussive group banged on numerous strategically placed drums, some of huge proportions. Dan Reynolds, an animated, tall and commanding frontman, ran around pounding on all of them, his movements appearing manic amid flashing strobe lights and bursts of color. Yet the rich, booming sound was clearly calculated and carefully choreographed.

After ripping through "Round and Round," delivering a dramatically pleading performance of "Amsterdam" and bouncing through the sing-along "Tiptoe," Reynolds took a moment to address adoring fans, expressing his childlike love for Disneyland and his excitement about playing on the theme park's property. His family rarely made the trek from Vegas to O.C. when he was a kid, so he asked the audience, "What's it like to live in Anaheim? Is it pretty cool?"

A few residents cheered, but mostly there were loud boos. "You want to come to Vegas with us," he responded, laughing at the mostly negative response. That question was met with resounding approval. "I think we have room for you all on the tour bus."

From start to finish Imagine Dragons solidly proved its strength with a mighty performance. Midway into the 14-song set the band busted out an eruptive "Radioactive," full of energy and further exaggerated by fiery explosions on screens. Reynolds attacked the song with gusto through to the last note, and when it ended he folded himself in half, putting his hands on his knees, clearly winded.

The next few tracks further showcased the impressive talents of this young band via solos. Guitarist Wayne Sermon shined, sweetly strumming into "Lay Me Down," and bassist Ben McKee took full advantage of the spotlight during "Bleeding Out." All four members seem to play drums at some point, but anchor Dan Platzman was fully in charge with "On Top of the World."

Reynolds repeatedly took time to look out at the crowd and thank screaming fans, at one point noting that this particular gig was the smallest on the tour, which also stops March 20 at the 2,300-capacity Wiltern Theatre in Los Angeles. Since dates have sold so well, two more shows were recently added, May 29-30 at the even larger Hollywood Palladium.

During "It's Time," Reynolds looked as if holding back tears when local devotees sang the chorus, but he roared back at the end, belting out the final line with conviction. That would have been an amazing closer, but the band returned for a one-song encore with "Nothing Left to Say," starting slowly but ending in an epic jam, the guys giving every ounce of sweat that remained.

Atlas Genius was also superb, presenting several cuts from its just-released Warner Bros. debut When It Was Now. Much of the young crowd on the lower level sang along to "Electric" and "On a Day," and before closing with current single "Trojans," vocalist Keith Jeffery jokingly assured that it isn't about condoms.

Nico Vega was a treat. Though crammed at the front of the stage, Volkman made the most of it, going barefoot and hopping onto the drum kit so she could be seen through the production chaos. A tiny performer with a big voice – who also happens to be married to Imaginary Dragon's Reynolds – she turned in a fun, flirty performance, her movement fluid as she shimmied and leapt onto an oil drum with the band's name painted on it.

She and Reynolds welcomed a baby girl, Arrow Eve, in August, yet Volkman's abs are astonishingly flat. Perhaps she took a few tips from Gwen Stefani when Nico Vega opened for No Doubt at Gibson Amphitheatre last November.

Imagine Dragons play again March 20 at the Wiltern Theatre in Los Angeles, sold out, before returning May 29-30 to headline the Hollywood Palladium, $35.

Dan Reynolds, left, and Ben McKee of Imagine Dragons perform Tuesday night at House of Blues Anaheim. KELLY A. SWIFT, FOR THE REGISTER
Imagine Dragons perform Tuesday night at House of Blues Anaheim. KELLY A. SWIFT, FOR THE REGISTER
Imagine Dragons perform Tuesday night at House of Blues Anaheim. KELLY A. SWIFT, FOR THE REGISTER
Imagine Dragons perform Tuesday night at House of Blues Anaheim. KELLY A. SWIFT, FOR THE REGISTER
Imagine Dragons perform Tuesday night at House of Blues Anaheim. KELLY A. SWIFT, FOR THE REGISTER
Imagine Dragons perform Tuesday night at House of Blues Anaheim. KELLY A. SWIFT, FOR THE REGISTER
Dan Reynolds of Imagine Dragons performs Tuesday night at House of Blues Anaheim. KELLY A. SWIFT, FOR THE REGISTER
Dan Reynolds of Imagine Dragons performs Tuesday night at House of Blues Anaheim. KELLY A. SWIFT, FOR THE REGISTER
Dan Reynolds of Imagine Dragons performs Tuesday night at House of Blues Anaheim. KELLY A. SWIFT, FOR THE REGISTER
Laguna Niguel fans on the barricade pose for a photo before seeing Imagine Dragons at House of Blues. KELLY A. SWIFT, FOR THE REGISTER
Cheryl Dunlap of Huntington Beach and Stefanie Oviatt of Newport Beach pose for a photo before seeing Imagine Dragons at House of Blues. KELLY A. SWIFT, FOR THE REGISTER
Newport Beach fans Kally and Jimmy pose for a photo before seeing Imagine Dragons at House of Blues. KELLY A. SWIFT, FOR THE REGISTER
Keith Jeffery of Atlas Genius performs Tuesday night at House of Blues Anaheim. KELLY A. SWIFT, FOR THE REGISTER
Keith Jeffery of Atlas Genius performs Tuesday night at House of Blues Anaheim. KELLY A. SWIFT, FOR THE REGISTER
Keith Jeffery of Atlas Genius performs Tuesday night at House of Blues Anaheim. KELLY A. SWIFT, FOR THE REGISTER
Darren Sell and Keith Jeffery of Atlas Genius perform Tuesday night at House of Blues Anaheim. KELLY A. SWIFT, FOR THE REGISTER
Keith Jeffery of Atlas Genius takes a photo of the crowd Tuesday night at House of Blues Anaheim. KELLY A. SWIFT, FOR THE REGISTER
Rich Koehler and Aja Volkman of Nico Vega perform Tuesday night at House of Blues Anaheim. KELLY A. SWIFT, FOR THE REGISTER
Aja Volkman of Nico Vega performs Tuesday night at House of Blues Anaheim. KELLY A. SWIFT, FOR THE REGISTER
Rich Koehler and Aja Volkman of Nico Vega perform Tuesday night at House of Blues Anaheim. KELLY A. SWIFT, FOR THE REGISTER
Aja Volkman of Nico Vega performs Tuesday night at House of Blues Anaheim. KELLY A. SWIFT, FOR THE REGISTER
Aja Volkman and Jamila Weaver of Nico Vega perform Tuesday night at House of Blues Anaheim. KELLY A. SWIFT, FOR THE REGISTER
Imagine Dragons perform Tuesday night at House of Blues Anaheim. KELLY A. SWIFT, FOR THE REGISTER

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